Kemi Badenoch has secured another Brexit win this afternoon withe the Trade Secretary set to shortly sign a new trade pact between the UK and the State of Florida.
Ms Badenoch is shortly set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which will encourage trade between the UK and the wealthy US state.
The pact, the latest post-Brexit trade boost signed by the leading Tory, is targeted at high-potential sectors including space and financial tech.
It is now the seventh trade deal between Britain and a US state, with a combined GDP of £3.3trillion – just shy of the size of Germany’s economy.
The Government has had to focus on deals with individual states, after Joe Biden set on a new policy of turning away from free trade in order to prop up the USA’s domestic industries.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s memorandum signing, Ms Badenoch said: “Florida is a major economy in its own right, with a bigger GDP than most European countries”.
“From launching satellites to developing the latest fintech software, Florida’s leading high-tech companies offer huge opportunities to the UK’s rapidly expanding tech sector.
“Today’s signing shows our US state-level strategy is working and delivering for UK firms, giving them a competitive edge in some of the most exciting markets in the world. I want to thank Governor DeSantis and his team for helping to make this MoU happen.”
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, who is currently a contender in the race to be the Republican candidate for President next year, said he is “honoured to stand today with MP Badenoch to strengthen the economic partnership between our state and the United Kingdom”.
He added: “Florida is the national leader for business growth and economic development, and today’s MOU signing will continue to ensure our state remains the model for American excellence”.
The new trade pact is also being championed by UKspace, which stands to win new opportunities from the agreement.
Its chairman, John Hanley, said they welcome the Memorandum of Understanding, as the US is “one of the UK’s most significant trading partners”.
“This will deepen our relationships with space companies in Florida and open up new prospects for collaboration and driving mutually beneficial trade and investment on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Florida is just one of 20 states expected to sign a deal with Brexit Britain.
Today’s MoU means Florida joins fellow states Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington in agreeing trade pacts with the UK.
Last week Ms Badenoch blasted Brexit doom-mongers after a report showed leaving the EU has boosted UK trade.
She railed against those who insist that freeing Britain from the shackles of Brussels has “severely damaged” the economy.
Ms Badenoch is due to start trade talks with Turkey shortly.
